N/A : Hey ! Before you start reading, I've got some things to tell you. First of all, the universe of Harry Potter doesn't belong to me, obviously. Only the plot and some characters are mine. Oh, and the parts in italic are directly taken from the books. There will be some in the first chapters, but there won't be much after that. Maybe in one chapter here or there...
Then, this is the translation of my own story. I'm french, so if you want to read it in french, just go on the original version, which has the same title. I probably won't post as regularly as in french, but I'll do my best ! By the way, if you find any english mistake, don't hesitate to let me know !
And finally, this story will be in seven parts, each of one will be composed of eleven chapters, all published in the same story.
Aaand I think that's all I have to say. Thanks for reading my story and please let me know what you think about it !
Tome 1. The founder's heir
Chapter 1 : Noctua's House
It was a beautiful day which started a few hours ago. A day like so many others, in which the sun daigned to show itself, without letting a single chance for the clouds to take over. One of those summer's day when the laughter of kids playing in the grass joined the chirping of birds coming out of their nest, in this little english village, responding to the nice name of Bluebelly. The paved main street which crossed the brick's houses' village lead to the edge of an amazingly embellished fence, that no one managed to cross, despite many attemps, that belonged to the property to a castle that seemed to be in ruins to any inattentive visitor. But if anyone looked carefully and was lucky, he could have a glimpse of curious phenomenon. Indeed, didn't we see, one day, a martin landing in the empty overlooking the rubble of the building ? That place was known under the name of the Noctua's House, but local people nicknamed it the Ghost Castle !
In reality, that place was for to be in ruins ! A simple Muggle-repelling spell was enough to give this illusion of decrepitude to the muggles that looked over the property. But if a wizard came to have a look, he could see an impressive castle, reigning above its surroundings, and which was the house, for centuries now, of a renowned wizards' family called the Noctuas. However, the inside of this residence contrasted strangely with the refined and clear facade. Indeed, walls were covered with a heavy dark fabric, coated with dust accumulated over years, which didn't let many light pass through. Many objects were dumped, abandonned on the floor tile, made slippery by the dirt encrusted, that any effort of cleaning couldn't take off. The House of the very noble Noctua was simply repulsive !
The family which lived there was in its image. It seemed a loving, united and rich family, but if you looked carefully, you could notice the coldness next to the crualty in the eyes of the father, Joshua Torduhead. Without a doubt, he was the reason of the decrepitude of the house, since we could see in the mother's eyes, those of Annabelle Noctua, fear and disgust when she stared the man who was her husband. The couple didn't share the same name, because she had decided that she'd rather keep hers, with a superior nobility and reputation than her husband's. There was another member, in this family, a young girl, Felicia, who was eleven. She looked much like her mother. Both of them had that impressive black hair, which contrasted with their pale complexion. The main difference between them was the color of their eyes, which were blue for the young girl, whereas the mother's were black. Mother and daughter were both incredibly kind, and people usually wondered why Annabelle Noctua married this Joshua Torduhead, known for the crualty he showed to anyone he considered inferior to his blood status. And though no one could prove he was a Deatheater, a follower of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, it was publicly known that both men shared the same ideas. The family of Noctuas having once been amongst the most powerful ones, they owned a house elf, named Delly.
Cette famille ayant été l'une des plus puissantes, fut un temps, possède un elfe de maison, nommée Delly, a little creature, which had bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls, clothed like any other house elf with something looking like an old pillow-cas, with rips for arm and leg-holes.
In this August morning, Felicia was trying, once more, to clean the ground of the kitchen, with Delly, without being able to take off everything that was covering it. The young girl had just filled a big bag of dirt when an owl came, a letter in its claws. The child took it, and without looking to who it was destined to, she went to give it to her mother, who handled the house's mail. She quickly found her in her desk, her nose in papers.
When her mother called her back right after she left, Felicia started to worry... Did she do anything wrong ? But then, her mother gave her the letter back, telling it was destined to her, worry let place to surprise and curiosity : she never received any letter ! And yet, it really was her name that was written in emerald ink, over the paper. She opened up the enveloppe, and read the letter that was in.
« HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Noctua,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress »
Hogwarts ! Finally ! She dreamed of it so many times, of this letter announcing a change in her life, that she couldn't believe that she was actually holding it ! Hogwarts ! The place where her mother spent the best years of her life, among Ravenclaws, who encouraged her to always do her best. Hogwarts ! The school for witches and wizards.
That was the precise moment her father entered the room, already upset, and saw her eyes full of joy. Curious to know what was making the child so happy, he grabbed the letter from her hand, and his face darkened as he was reading it.
« Hogwarts... A school full of incompetents and mudbloods ! I don't want my daughter to go in that dustbin !
- But, Joshua, you're always saying that she bothers you here ! And we don't have the time or the means to give her a proper magical education ! She needs to go !
- She won't ! I don't want her to be corrupted ! And did you see everything that she needs ? All that money will go directly in this useless ministry's pocket !
- She needs to go ! Hogwarts taught us most of what we know ! How do you want her to become a great witch without going there ! And you know that she won't have a future without a diploma !
- Fine, fine... She'll go. Tell them. I'll buy everything tomorrow.
- Father ?
- What ? What else is there ?
- Well, hum... Actually, I was wondering if... if I could accompany you to make those purchases.
- No ! You stay here, with your mother ! I've got business to tend to there anyways, and I don't want you in my way ! And you'd get bored... You don't want to get bored, do you ? »
One more time, Joshua managed to get things the way he wanted them to be. At least, he authorized her to go to Hogwarts !
Next morning, Felicia was awakened by Delly.
« Young mistress must get well clothed and get up. Mistress awaits her in the little living room ! Said the elf in her high-pitched voice.
Felicia never contested the orders Delly transmitted, even though the elf sometimes reversed the words. Moreover, even if her mother was always kind with her, her father, him, wouldn't hesitate to hit her. So, a few minutes later, the young girl was goind downstairs, as quietly as possible, as she was taught, and was standing in the entrance of the room, which was slightly clearer than the other rooms, though still quite dirty. Her mother was reading something about cooking, in a red leather armchair
« Come sit at my side, she said when she saw her daughter. I have to talk to you, while Joshua isn't here.
- Mother ? The girl asked, surprised.
- Listen to me closely, Felicia, and don't repeat to anybody, and I say ANYBODY what I'm going to tell you, especially not to my husband. First of all, once you get to Hogwarts, I want you to keep mastering your gift. We both are metamorphmagus, you know that, and even if you don't understand why I'm asking that of you, just trust me, and do what I say. I know it can be complicated, especially at your age, but Joshua must NOT know what we are. One day you'll know why. Do you understand ?
- Yes, of course ! But I'd still like to understand why you told me so since the day my gist appeared...
- One day you'll know... Please, excuse me for not telling you everything today. But this isn't the reason I wanted to talk to you. Once you get to Hogwarts, I want you to become an Animagi.
- Ani-what ?
- Animagi. This is how we call the wizards and witches that are able to fully transforme themselves in an animal form. As a matter of fact, one of your future teachers is one.
- But how can I become an Animagi ?
- It's a high level magic, you'll probably need years to achieve it, but you'll find there most of the required informations concerning transformation. And, like our gift, you must tell nobody about it.
- I'll do my best, mother.
- Felicia Ruth Claire Noctua ! This isn't an order ! I want you to become one, because one day, it may save your life. You have to understand me, I don't want my little daughter to get killed ! »
And Annabelle ended their conversation on that. After all, Noctua's family was never one for demonstration of feelings, but Felicia knew that her mother loved her more than anything she always defended her against the injustice her husband often showed. It was also her who taught the young girl everything she knew at this point. As much as anybody else, Felicia knew that love wasn't the thing that united the couple, and she often wondered over the reasons that made them husband and wife.